Getting your hair highlighted can instantly brighten your look and add stunning dimension to your locks. But after the excitement of fresh highlights, the real challenge begins—maintaining that salon-perfect color and shine. Without proper care, highlights can turn dull, brassy, or dry out your strands. But don’t worry! With the right hair care routine, you can keep your highlights looking fresh and vibrant for weeks. Here’s everything you need to know about maintaining highlighted hair like a pro.
How to Protect Your Highlighted Hair from Damage, Fading, & Brassiness
1. Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Shampoo plays a crucial role in maintaining your hair color. Many regular shampoos contain sulfates, which are harsh detergents that strip natural oils and fade color quickly. Instead, choose a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo to gently cleanse your hair while preserving your highlights.
- Best ingredients to look for: Keratin, argan oil, coconut oil, or proteins.
- Avoid: Parabens, alcohol, and harsh chemicals that can dry out your hair.
- Pro Tip: If you have blonde or light highlights, use a purple shampoo once a week to neutralize brassiness and keep your color fresh.
2. Wash Less, Condition More
Washing your hair too often can cause highlights to fade faster. Shampooing strips away the protective oils and exposes your color to water damage.
- Ideal washing frequency: 2-3 times a week.
- Use a dry shampoo in between washes to keep your scalp fresh without over-washing.
- Always condition your hair after shampooing to keep it hydrated.
- Avoid hot water while washing your hair, as it opens up the cuticle, allowing color to escape. Instead, rinse with cool or lukewarm water to seal in moisture and maintain shine.
3. Deep Condition Once a Week
Highlighted hair tends to lose moisture quickly, making it prone to frizz and breakage. A weekly deep-conditioning treatment will replenish moisture, restore shine, and keep your hair soft.
DIY Hair Mask for Extra Shine
Avocado & Honey Hair Mask
- ½ mashed avocado
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing.
This mask deeply nourishes the hair, repairs dryness, and enhances shine.
4. Protect Your Hair from Heat Styling
Frequent heat styling can make highlighted hair dry and brittle, causing color to fade prematurely. If you must use heat, always apply a heat protectant spray before styling.
Ideal heat settings for color-treated hair:
- Blow dryers: Use the lowest heat setting.
- Flat irons & curling wands: Keep temperature below 300°F (150°C) to prevent heat damage.
Alternative Styling Tip: Try heatless curls using braids, foam rollers, or overnight twist buns for gorgeous waves without heat.
5. Shield Your Hair from Sun Exposure
Just like the sun can damage your skin, it can also fade hair color and make highlights look brassy. Protect your hair from UV rays with these simple tips:
- Wear a hat or scarf when spending long hours in the sun.
- Use a UV-protectant hair spray before heading outside.
- Leave-in conditioners with SPF help shield your hair from sun damage.
6. Avoid Chlorine & Hard Water Damage
Chlorine and minerals in hard water can alter your hair color and turn blonde highlights green over time. Protect your hair by:
- Rinsing hair with clean water before and after swimming to prevent chlorine absorption.
- Applying a leave-in conditioner or hair oil before swimming to create a protective barrier.
- Installing a shower filter to remove harsh minerals from tap water.
7. Regular Trims Keep Hair Looking Fresh
Split ends and breakage can make highlighted hair look lifeless. To maintain healthy, vibrant locks, schedule a trim every 6-8 weeks to remove damaged ends and keep your hair looking fresh.
Bonus Tip: Ask your stylist for a clear gloss treatment during trims to enhance shine and prolong your highlights.
8. Refresh Your Highlights with Toning & Gloss Treatments
Over time, highlights can lose their vibrancy or turn brassy. Instead of redoing your highlights too often, you can revive them with:
- Toning shampoos (purple or blue): Neutralize brassiness and refresh blonde, ash, or caramel highlights.
- Professional gloss treatment: Adds shine and enhances the color.
- DIY apple cider vinegar rinse: Mix one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water, rinse through your hair, and leave for 5 minutes to enhance shine.
9. Nourish Your Hair from the Inside Out
Healthy hair starts from within! To maintain strong, shiny, and vibrant highlights, focus on your diet and hydration.
Hair-healthy foods:
- Salmon & walnuts (rich in omega-3s)
- Eggs & spinach (contain biotin for hair strength)
- Carrots & sweet potatoes (packed with vitamin A for scalp health)
Drink plenty of water to keep your hair hydrated and shiny.
10. Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase
Cotton pillowcases can cause friction, leading to frizz and dullness. Switch to a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce breakage and keep your highlights smooth and glossy.
Bonus: Tie your hair in a loose braid or silk scarf while sleeping to prevent tangles and moisture loss.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of highlighted hair doesn’t have to be complicated! With these simple yet effective tips, you can preserve your hair color, boost shine, and keep your locks looking salon-fresh for longer.
Did you find these tips helpful? Have your own secret to keeping highlights vibrant? Drop a comment and share your thoughts!
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